storey
Also spelled story (US spelling)
Storey (noun) means a level or floor of a building. Example: “The house has three storeys plus an attic.”
How to use storey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne level of a multi-floor building.
"Storey" (with the e) is the standard British spelling; American English writes "story" for both the building-level and narrative senses.
Word forms
storeys plural, stories plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The house has three _____ plus an attic.
Etymology
From Middle English story, ultimately from Latin historia ("narrative"), possibly because medieval buildings often had picture-friezes telling a story on each level. It's a doublet of both story and history.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for storey
See all rhymes for storey →Frequently asked questions
What does “storey” mean?
The word “storey” means a level or floor of a building. In plain terms, one level of a multi-floor building.
How do you pronounce “storey”?
“Storey” is pronounced STAW-rih (/ˈstɔɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “storey” in a sentence?
Here is “storey” used in a sentence: “The house has three storeys plus an attic.”
What part of speech is “storey”?
“Storey” is a noun.
Where does the word “storey” come from?
The word “storey” comes from Latin. From Middle English story, ultimately from Latin historia ("narrative"), possibly because medieval buildings often had picture-friezes telling a story on each level. It's a doublet of both story and history.
Is “storey” a common word?
“Storey” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between storey and story?
Storey refers to a level or floor of a building, while story refers to a narrative or account of events. In British English the spelling storey is used for building levels to keep it distinct from story, though American English typically uses story for both meanings.
Is storey used in American English?
Storey is mainly a British and Commonwealth spelling; American English generally uses story for both a floor of a building and a tale, relying on context to distinguish meaning. If writing for a British audience, storey is the expected spelling for building levels.
How is storey used to describe building height?
Storey is used with numbers to describe a building's height, as in "a three-storey house" or "a ten-storey office block." It refers to each distinct level between floors, not including the roof.